TV NETWORKS RESPOND TO TERROR, SWITCH FORMAT

Regular Commercial Programming Canceled for All-News

LOS ANGELES (AdAge.com) -- Television networks have made massive programming changes in reaction to the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington D.C.

All networks have canceled their regularly scheduled prime-time programming until further notice. Virtually all have been airing -- and will continue to air -- news programming with no advertising.

There is no indication as to how long this will continue. One NBC spokeswoman said the network is making its decision in 24-hour increments.

Delay for fall TV season?
Rumors abound that some networks are pushing for a move to delay the start of the new fall season, which begins Sept. 17. A number of network representatives could not comment.

CBS' Latin Grammy show, which had been scheduled for Tuesday, was canceled and will not be aired. The network's Sunday night Emmy broadcast is being postponed to a later date. CBS has not made a decision on whether its new drama Wolf Lake will premiere tonight as planned.

Problem movies
Fox is replacing two problematic programs. The network is pulling Friday night's repeat of an X-Files episode, which showed a building being blown up, and airing 9 Months, a comedy starring Hugh Grant. On Sunday, the network is also replacing Independence Day, which showed the White House being blown up, with a repeat of The Simpsons, followed by another comedy, There's Something About Mary.

Fox also rescheduled Tuesday's premiere of Love Cruise to 9 p.m. the following Tuesday.

ABC will replace The Peacemaker this coming Sunday -- a movie about Russian terrorism and nuclear weapons -- with the romantic film Hope Floats.

The WB has also canceled its prime-time programming and will be running CNN's newsfeed on its affiliated stations until further notice.